VP Engineering - Syngas and Hydrogen Technologies

POSITION TITLE: Vice President of Engineering

DEPARTMENT: Engineering

REPORTS TO: President & CEO

WORK LOCATION: Houston, Texas office (not a remote work position), no relocation provided

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Exempt

INTRODUCTION TO HYCO1

HYCO1 has emerged as the global leader in CO2 Utilization Technology and Syngas Process Plants, a field recognized as critical to addressing global industrial needs for energy efficiency improvement and reduced climate gas emissions. Today, CO2 is largely a waste byproduct released into the atmosphere due to a lack of cost-effective utilization methods. Each year, about 40 gigatons of CO2 are emitted, largely from processes that rely on fossil-based feedstocks. HYCO1 CUBE™ Technology turns CO2 emissions into high-value products while reducing the consumption of traditional fossil fuels.

At the heart of HYCO1’s breakthrough solution is its patented catalyst and CUBE™ Process Technology (Carbon Utilization, Best Efficiency), which converts over 95% of feed gas CO2 and CH4 in a single reactor pass, producing high-grade syngas at the lowest cost and carbon intensity on the market. CUBE™ Technology makes it possible to manufacture fuels, chemicals, and other products from CO2 at a lower cost than from conventional fossil fuels. The technology uses a patented, non-coking, spherical catalyst that is highly durable and does not need to be regenerated. Currently operational in its first commercial installation, CUBE™ Technology is proving to be both versatile and market ready. Unlike conventional syngas production technologies such as steam methane reforming (SMR) or autothermal reforming (ATR), HYCO1’s CUBE™ CO2 Reactor (CCR) is exceptionally flexible. It can produce syngas, hydrogen and carbon monoxide in any desired purity or ratio by simply adjusting the feed gases. Built on well-proven SMR reactor designs, and enhanced with a superior catalyst, CUBE™ Process Technology is poised to become the new global standard for syngas production and CO2 utilization in a projected market that is rapidly growing to over $900 billion annually.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Vice President of Engineering at HYCO1 plays a pivotal role in advancing carbon capture and conversion solutions. This position requires a deep understanding of chemical engineering, catalysis, process optimization, and modern-day engineering, procurement and construction methods (EPC) to help lead HYCO1’s innovations for transforming captured CO₂ into valuable products. The Engineering VP manages the engineering team, along with the design, scaling, and implementation of our CO₂ utilization technology, working closely with cross-functional teams to enhance work efficiency. The VP also helps support research and development efforts, ensuring that engineering strategies align with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

Beyond technical expertise, the VP of Engineering is responsible for providing strong team leadership, and strategic planning. This role manages HYCO1’s engineering team, fosters innovation while ensuring compliance with best practice engineering standards. Additionally, this role engages with project clients, project EPC’s, and corporate partners to drive good engineering practices in active projects along with advancements in CO₂ utilization. By integrating cutting-edge materials science, process intensification, and automation, the Engineering VP helps position the company as a leader in sustainable carbon management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

1. Team Leadership & Collaboration

· Manage, hire and mentor a team of engineers across multiple engineering disciplines, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

· Collaborate with EPC’s, vendors, service providers, equipment suppliers to drive projects, maintain schedules and meet deliverables requirements.

· Communicate technical insights effectively to team members, executives, investors, and regulatory bodies as needed.

· Contribute to a safe work culture in the continuous observation and implementation of safe practices, fostering safety in the workplace awareness, and recognizing contributions by others toward establishing high standards and safety in the workplace achievements.

· Conduct engineering employee performance reviews, provide feedback, and support career growth.

· Manage and closely coordinate daily work assignments with HYCO1’s overseas high value engineering teams.

· Help manage and coordinate engineering work with key vendors and professional services for specialty items such as process control systems, reformer reactor systems, HazOp reviews, and others.

· Ensure cross-functional collaboration between engineering, project management, product management, business development and business operations teams.

· Strongly support HYCO1’s Business Development team in the formation of Feasibility Study proposals, FEED proposals and Technology Licensing proposals.

· Implement best practices for engineering workflows and project execution.

· Monitor KPI’s and performance metrics to ensure efficiency.

· Oversee compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality assurance protocols.

· Manage engineering budgets, ensuring cost-effective solutions are being achieved.

· Approve procurement of tools, software, and equipment.

· Optimize resource allocation for ongoing projects.

· Attend daily stand-ups, executive meetings, and technical discussions.

· Communicate frequent progress updates to leadership and stakeholders.

· Address team concerns, project risks, and operational challenges.

2. Technical Expertise & Problem-Solving

· Apply knowledge of engineering disciplines (chemical process, mechanical, civil, instrument & electrical) with a strong emphasis on thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and fluid dynamics.

· Troubleshoot design and engineering challenges, identify problems and have the initiative to be a problem solver.

· Function as a high-agency, proactive, self-starting problem solver in the workplace.

· Stay updated on emerging technologies in syngas and hydrogen production, carbon capture, and alternative syngas generation methods.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Education - Candidate must have at least 15 years or more of closely related work experience and one of the following degrees:

· Must have a degree or advanced degree (B.S. / M.S./ Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.

Additional Essential Functions/Skills Candidate must have the following additional Essential Skills & Knowledge:

· Extensive experience in syngas production, hydrogen systems, SMR reactor systems, and catalyst development.

· Strong knowledge base in process simulation modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and reaction kinetics.

· Proven track record in leading engineering teams and driving technological innovation.

· Knowledge of carbon capture technologies, hydrogen economy trends, and sustainable energy solutions.

· Extensive experience in the EPC process and associated project execution stages.

· Demonstrated strong leadership/management ability.

· Posses and demonstrate excellent computer skills in utilizing MS Office Suite.

· Expertise to manage a team using ASPEN software packages, Plant 3D, Caeser, PV Elite, and other leading engineering software tools.

· Demonstrated strong strategic, analytical, and organizational skills.

· Work with honesty and integrity.

· Must demonstrate proficiency in writing and speaking English.

· Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., meeting immigration and employment requirements. No sponsorship available.

· Must be able to perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

· Must be able to meet the attendance and travel requirements of the position.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION:

This position requires occasional planned travel. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time and view computer screens for long periods of time. Must be able to speak and listen clearly. Fine visual acuity to read labels, safety notices, and other written materials for accuracy required. May be exposed at times to loud noises, wet and humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and extreme hot and cold, depending on weather conditions.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

· Must be able to climb four flights of stairs in PPE

· Must be able to lift 50 pounds

· Must be able to carry 25 pounds for distances up to 100m

· Must be able to work outside in hot/cold weather if required

· Must be able to sit work at a keyboard and screen for long periods

COMPENSATION

HYCO1 offers a competitive salary and a competitive benefits package including stock options, performance-based incentive compensation, Paid Time Off, 401K, Wellness Plan, and a Flexible Spending Account.

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTION

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the position. In no instance should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements described herein be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned by HYCO1 as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. HYCO1 is an at-will employer. Employees may be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

HYCO1 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $210,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Compensation Package:

Schedule:

Work Location: In person